The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the suspension of seven Jackson State football players for its upcoming game against Alcorn State on Monday. The suspensions stemmed from a fight following JSU’s 16-10 win over Alabama State on Nov. 16, which saw JSU claim the SWAC East title.
Multiple JSU and Alabama State players were involved in a fight during the postgame handshakes, where players on both sides began getting in each other’s faces and shoving. That led to pulling off helmets and punches being thrown.
“Acts on unsportsmanlike conduct have zero place in the sports of intercollegiate athletics and within the Southwestern Athletic Conference and we are extremely disappointed to have had consecutive weeks of football competition negatively impacted by these unfortunate occurrences,” SWAC Commissioner Charles McClelland said in press release.
“We will continue to work with our membership to implement the necessary policies and procedures to deter this type of behavior,” McClelland said. We will also continue to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for all acts deemed to be unsportsmanlike and contrary to the high standard of good sportsmanship we expect from all individuals associated with the athletics programs within our league.”
The SWAC said after conducting a comprehensive investigation, it was determined that both schools violated the league’s code of ethics and conduct by committing acts of unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in a one-game suspension.
The seven JSU players have not been identified by the SWAC or the team. JSU also was fined $25,000. Alabama State (5-5, 4-3) was also fined $25,000. A total of 16 players were suspended for their upcoming games, with seven from Jackson State and nine from Alabama State. Alabama State’s next game is against Prairie View A&M.
The No. 17 Tigers (9-2, SWAC 7-0) are set to face Alcorn State (6-5, 5-2) on Saturday (2 p.m., ESPN +) in Lorman to end the regular season. JSU will host the SWAC Championship game against Southern (7-4, 6-1) on Dec. 7 ( 1 p.m., ESPN2) at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
JSU and coach T.C. Taylor did not comment on the postgame fight, stating they would allow the SWAC to handle the altercation.
“That kind of game, like I said, championship game, is turning into one of the great rivalries in the conference, you know,” Taylor said on Monday. “So I’ll leave that up to the SWAC, and we’ll go from there.”
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
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